11
Oct
eternal glory
We have small troubles for a while now, but they are
helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater
than the troubles. We set our eyes not on what we see
but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a
short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 {NCV}
What are your “small” troubles? A friend wronged you, a husband forgot to pick something up, a stressful day, a disrespectful boss, someone cut you off while driving, someone’s got 20 items in the 10 item lane? You get the picture …
Do the “small” troubles in your life cause you pain? Understandable if they do … but to what depths does that pain go? Are you able to embrace it, face it and move on?
I just saw a facebook status that says “If you still talk about it, you still care about it.” Something to think about. I know it spoke to some of my inner “small” troubles.
Okay.
So if we understand, those are our small troubles. Guess what? In the verse above, it’s actually talking about “bigger troubles.”
The literal translation is thlípsis (“compression, tribulation”) carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape.”
Whoa. Coping with the internal pressure of a trial so big it feels there’s no way of escape! Yet the Bible calls that a small trouble?
Big-Holy-Bible-Word-of-God say what?!?
Listen my friends, if we’re not able to move with faith through the smaller things in our lives … trusting God to handle even the smallest of details in our lives, how do we approach the heavy that comes our way?
Here’s the thing though … the glorious thing … compared to the eternal glory we will see {and have} some day, these trials … the heavy tribulations … the ones that cause us to want to crawl into bed and lie in a fetal position for years? They are nothing. nothing! compared to the glory that is ours for the claiming!
I’m praying my faith is solid. unwavering. in the small, so that when I’m faced with the unspeakable … there’s no doubt in my mind Who’ll see me through.
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it
often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God
is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These
hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the
lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye.
The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.
But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 {The Message}
{read 31 days of faith from the beginning}
Posted in 31 days of faith
Thanks Tracie. You’re not only keeping the faith, you’re giving it away! God bless you for your generosity.
It blesses my heart to see you praising God and spreading the good news of Jesus. It is wonderful to read and see your joy in Christ. I love the Lord and thank him for his son and if it were not the prays of the righteous I would not be here today. You have touched my heart through your courage and strength. We are praying for you and your family and please pray for our family.
Mildred
The creative power and positive pressure of the Holy Spirit within us pushes out at the exact pressure of the world’s cares pushing in. This produces a state of equilibreum [?]. Therefore, we can declare as with Paul, ‘Whatever state I find myself in; whether I am abased or abound, THERE IN, AM I CONTENT [at peace]‘. selah! Be blessed…
Thank you for a great message today.
Ovid Ricketson
I am so behind on commenting, but that video you posted the other day? wow. it was beautiful, passionate and gentle.
Jessica Lynette recently posted..Encouraging Masculinity-Honoring God
Great post, Tracie! The word ‘lavish’ used in 2 Cor 4:17-18 reminded me of another passage that is in keeping with this topic, 1 John 3:1-3 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” How reassuring is that? No matter how long and hard the days of this life seem to be, in the end we can always find rest in the Lord as He has it all under control for His purposes.
I agree with MARY above… THANK you for not keeping this wonderful FAITH to yourself, but for so freely and honestly GIVING IT AWAY! Eternal glory is a cause for serious celebration!!!! Everything else seems to fade away when we focus on THAT!
katherinemarie recently posted..Count’s Teeth
Wowza….must think on this as I go to bed!!!! So good…..
Stacey recently posted..31 Days {Day 17} :: He is For You
I needed this……..BAD! Thank you my friend!!!!!!!!!